A teenager allegedly armed with a shotgun subjected two women to a terrifying ordeal when he forced his way into a South Auckland house.

Police believe the Otara home invasion was drug related and linked to a youth gang.

They are searching for Tavita Lasike Pongi.

The 19-year-old is already facing serious violence charges and has warrants out for his arrest for allegedly breaching his bail conditions.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrell Harpur said Pongi allegedly turned up at the house at about 7.45pm on Saturday armed with a long-barrelled black and brown shotgun.

Two women at the property, a 54-year-old and a younger women, saw Pongi and two others coming up the driveway and shouted a warning, which prompted the house's only other occupant, a 16-year-old boy, to flee out the back door.

Harpur said one of the women tried to shut the door on Pongi, but he used his gun to stop it from closing.

He said one of the women, who recognised Pongi from a previous occasion when he was drinking at the house, yelled challenges at him, but he stayed silent.

After searching the property, Pongi left empty handed. The other two people with him didn't enter the house.

Both women were left "shaken up", but were not injured.

Police have unsuccessfully searched several properties for Pongi since Saturday and believe he is still in Otara.

Detectives think Pongi was at a house they checked last night, but left shortly before they arrived.

Pongi is Polynesian and about 183cm tall.

He was wearing a blue hoodie with the hood pulled over his head, a blue bandana covering his mouth and black loose-fitting pants, possibly jeans.

Police are appealing for Pongi to give himself up and warn he should not be approached.